Cabrillo explained what he had found while they were packing up their gear and driving back to the beach. The last big item in the Ford’s cargo area was an inflatable raft and an outboard. While Hanley got it ready for the crossing back to the mainland, Juan used his dive knife to spear the SUV’s gas tank. The vehicle had been rented using an untraceable false ID, but there was forensic evidence on the truck so it would have to burn.

They waited on the beach to make sure nothing remained of the Explorer but a charred husk. It took less time to motor to shore and reach the native village of La Push than it did to find a ride back to a good-sized town. They ended up bumming a ride in the cab of a semi transporting a load of timber, which made Juan remember his recent adventure in the Argentine jungle with a nearly identical rig.

THE ROAR OF A BIG diesel engine outside signaled that the Argentines had fired up their snowcat and were leaving Wilson/ George Station. Fifteen minutes had passed since Linda had taken refuge in the ceiling crawl space. Now that she felt confident they had gone, she broke out a chemical heat pad and applied it to her face. She’d managed to keep her toes and fingers from going numb by curling them repetitively in her boots and gloves. However, the apples of her cheeks and her nose were moments away from frost-bite. The pain when sensation started rushing back was excruciating but welcome because it meant there had been no permanent damage.

And since she’d heard no more gunfire, she knew the rest of her team had remained safely hidden.

Linda climbed stiffly from her perch and remained silent until she made her way to the station’s main door to verify the snowcat was gone. Linc and Mark appeared by the time she returned to the rec room.

“I heard shooting,” Linc said, concern corrugating his broad forehead. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “It was a close call, but yeah. Where’d you guys hide?”

“I just laid down next to one of the bodies,” Mark said. “The guy checking the room didn’t give me a second look.”

“I was in the back of a closet under a pile of clothes. I think they were pretty spooked by what they saw. Their search was cursory.”

“I know how they feel,” Linda agreed, trying not to think about the grisly tableau around her. “Linc, you said you found something in the vehicle shed?”

“Yeah, but you’ll need to see it for yourself.”